Interactive Metronome

What is Interactive Metronome®?

Interactive Metronome® (IM) is an advanced brain-based treatment program designed to enhance neurological performance and recovery. This is accomplished by using innovative neurosensory and neuromotor exercises developed to improve the brain's inherent ability to repair or remodel itself, a process called neuroplasticity.

IM sessions involve a number of structured, goal-oriented challenges matching hand and foot exercises to a precise computer-generated reference tone. In attempting to synchronize the rhythmic beat with repetitive motor actions, a patient engages in a variety of activities, from tapping hands to complex jumping and running tasks; the audio-visual guidance system incorporated into the IM software offer simmediate feedback and a score to mark patient progress. Other therapeutic activities may also be incorporated into IM sessions to increase the child's motivation, endurance/persistence, and feeling of success with the program. Over time, the child will be able to tolerate increases in the activity length and motor complexity of the software.

The IM program was originally developed to help improve fine, gross, and visual motor skills in children with autism. Since its original conception, IM practitioners have discovered a broad range of positive improvements in all kinds of children and adults. Research on IM over the last decade has found marked improvement in a diverse range of populations and skill areas, from increased attention and regulation of aggression in boys with ADHD to the improvement of technique and accuracy of recreational golfers. IM not only improves a wide variety of motor functions, its benefits carry over into language, cognitive, and academic domains.

Targeted Areas

IM provides a structured, goal-oriented training process that uses synchronous movement to improve neuron activity in the brain and central nervous system. Among the processing areas that are targeted with the use of IM:

Attention and concentration

Motor control

Coordination

Visual-motor skills

Language processing

Social communication

Endurance and strength

Balance

Control of impulsivity or aggression

Motor planning

Planning/sequencing

Organization

Reading and academic fluency

Who Can Benefit?

Pediatric and adult patients who have benefited from IM include those with: